Rural Tourism

The North York Moors (NYM) Tourism Network, which is Programme area wide and was created through activity within the 2008-2013 North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER Programme, provides a strong basis from which to grow this particular area of activity. The Network was created to support tourism and related businesses who wish to capitalise on their location in or near to the National Park and the Howardian Hills AONB and to create and build a brand for the wider North York Moors area. Much has already been done, but further development of this work is essential in order to support all businesses who wish to develop products and services based on this distinctive area.

With the NYMCH area also including Scarborough’s southern parishes we recognise that parts of this area most closely relate to the Wolds. The special features of this area will be embraced and cooperation activity with our neighbouring Coast, Wolds, Wetlands and Waterways (CWWW) LEADER Programme will serve to strengthen this.

The Transition phase research and consultation process highlighted the need to support the linking of activities, businesses, attractions and sites to offer an easy to access quality visitor experience that appeals to all markets. Building businesses and developing the visitor offer will be a crucial part of growing the economy in this sector.

Scope of Programme Activity

Support for the wider visitor economy including direct tourism businesses and those related businesses who wish to capitalise further on their location and develop services and products based on the distinctive landscape and special features of the area. Linkages into local tourism networks and the actions will be important in co-ordinating activity and developing a strong coherent offer of benefit to the wider area.

An open call is seeking applications which will support a business or businesses related to the visitor economy to capitalise upon this and expand their offer.

The Programme is looking to support applications for capital projects which will achieve one or more of the following:

New or growing businesses offering tourism activities or services;

Small scale infrastructure to support and develop the tourist offer and enhance the visitor experience;

Clusters of businesses working together to sell new services, products and packages; or

Larger scale actions which initiate a project or action across a wider area.

Eligible Applicants under the Rural Tourism Priority are:

New or existing micro or small businesses

A community group that wants to invest in small scale infrastructure to support and develop tourism

A group of rural tourist businesses working together

Local Authorities and administrations

Public-Private Partnerships

Non-governmental organisations

Organisations in charge of tourist and recreational development

Grant Limits:

Minimum £5,000 and no upper limit

Grants of up to 40% of eligible costs can be provided towards commercial activities or up to 80% for non-profit making applicants (subject to State Aid restrictions).

For full details on the type of projects we are looking to support under the Rural Tourism priority please ensure you read the Call for Projects for Rural Tourism and the How To Make An Application section of our website.

North York Moors National Park Authority, The Old Vicarage, Bondgate, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5BP
email: leader@northyorkmoors.org.uk